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USC Safety Kamari Ramsey Named to Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
August 11, 2025 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC safety Kamari Ramsey has been named to the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, today (Aug. 11). The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.Â
Although he could have declared for the NFL Draft, Ramsey, one of the nation's top defenders, returns to USC to lead the defensive backs as a redshirt junior safety in 2025. Seen as a coach on the field, Ramsey knows defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn's defense better than anyone as he enters his third season in his system.Â
Ramsey has also been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List as well as the Preseason Athlon Sports All-Big Ten Second Team and Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team.Â
Ramsey recorded 60 tackles (tied for third on the team), including 5.5 for loss of 26 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 19 yards), 5 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT and 1 QB hurry while appearing and starting in 11 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2024. He was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
The Bednarik Award has been given to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. It is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and center who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as one of the last "60-minute men" for playing both offense and defense, Bednarik exemplified toughness, excellence, and leadership on the field—values that the award bearing his name seeks to recognize in today's top defensive players.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 11,, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled on November 25. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 11.Â
The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta.
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Although he could have declared for the NFL Draft, Ramsey, one of the nation's top defenders, returns to USC to lead the defensive backs as a redshirt junior safety in 2025. Seen as a coach on the field, Ramsey knows defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn's defense better than anyone as he enters his third season in his system.Â
Ramsey has also been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List as well as the Preseason Athlon Sports All-Big Ten Second Team and Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team.Â
Ramsey recorded 60 tackles (tied for third on the team), including 5.5 for loss of 26 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 19 yards), 5 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT and 1 QB hurry while appearing and starting in 11 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2024. He was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
The Bednarik Award has been given to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. It is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and center who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as one of the last "60-minute men" for playing both offense and defense, Bednarik exemplified toughness, excellence, and leadership on the field—values that the award bearing his name seeks to recognize in today's top defensive players.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 11,, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled on November 25. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 11.Â
The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta.
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